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Herbie Wiles awarded Order of La Florida

Herbie Wiles and his wife Annette listen as St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles reads a proclamation awarding him the Order of la Florida, St. Augustine's highest and most prestigious award, at a city commission meeting in The Alcazar Room of City Hall on Monday, April 22, 2013. By PETER WILLOTT, peter.willott@staugustine.com

St. Augustine native, businessman, Navy veteran, public servant and community servant H.L. “Herbie” Wiles was awarded the 19th Order of La Florida, St. Augustine’s highest and most prestigious award on Monday night.

The beaming Wiles was accompanied by his wife, Annette, and surrounded by his children, grandchildren, family members and friends who packed The Alcazar Room at City Hall to honor him.

Mayor Joe Boles read the proclamation that spoke of a man “who means a great deal to us, some of us on a very personal level because of many years of friendship, but certainly to all of us because of our high regard for his professional and civic achievements which have enriched our city.”

After Boles read the names of the other 18 recipients, Wiles said, “I really appreciate joining that fine group of people. But I didn’t do it alone. I stuck out from a lot of people who made it possible.”

City documents said the Order of La Florida was created in 1975 as a way for the commission to recognize those who have contributed “extraordinary services to our community.”

The selection process begins with a nomination by a city commissioner. Wiles was nominated by Commissioner Bill Leary.

The award is limited to nine living recipients.

Wiles is a graduate of Ketterlinus High School and Florida State University, where he earned a degree in business administration in 1953.

He became a licensed insurance agent and began working with his father, G. Randy Wiles. In 1961, he opened Herbie Wiles Insurance.

In 1966, he was elected to the St. Johns County Commission, where he served for 12 years, including three terms as chairman. He was also the first chair and charter member of the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council in 1977.

He has served on the boards of Flagler College’s President’s Council, FSU Alumni Association Emeritus, Ashlar Masonic Lodge and St. Augustine Shrine Club, the St. Augustine Elks Club, Flagler Hospital, Wachovia/First Union/Atlantic Bank Advisory Board and as a charter member of the Navy League.

Wiles thanked the employees of Herbie Wiles Insurance — now run by his son Doug, a former state legislator representing St. Augustine — for coming.

“Nobody paid them to do it,” he joked.

But on a more serious note, he said, “It has been my pleasure to live in St. Augustine all my life.”